Trump to announce Gaza ‘Board of Peace’ despite Hamas refusing to disarm

US president Donald Trump is expected to announce the creation of a Gaza “Board of Peace” next week, pressing ahead with the second phase of the ceasefire agreement which has been continuously violated by Israel. In a departure from Israel’s position, Trump is not expected to condition the start of phase two on the disarmament of Hamas.

According to a report in Axios, two US officials and two sources with direct knowledge of the plan said the announcement is expected in the coming days, barring disruption from other foreign policy priorities, including talks on Ukraine and Venezuela. 

The Board of Peace will be chaired by Trump and comprise around 15 world leaders. It is intended to supervise a still-to-be-formed Palestinian technocratic government and oversee Gaza’s reconstruction under the second phase of the ceasefire deal.

The move comes despite Israel’s insistence that Hamas must first disarm and return the remains of all Israeli captives. While Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed back against advancing to phase two without these conditions being met, US officials have made clear that Washington is unwilling to condition the process on either demand.

Hamas, for its part, has publicly rejected unilateral disarmament, stating that it would only give up its weapons as part of a negotiated political process leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state. This position directly contradicts Netanyahu’s long-standing insistence that Hamas must be dismantled militarily before any post-war governance arrangements are put in place.

Invitations are being sent to key countries to join the board. Those expected to participate include the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey. 

READ: Israeli minister says Israel may have to use force to disarm Hamas

Behind the scenes, former UN envoy to the Middle East Nikolay Mladenov is expected to serve as the Board of Peace’s representative on the ground. He is currently visiting Israel for talks with Netanyahu and other officials ahead of Trump’s announcement.

Netanyahu’s agreement to move forward with phase two during his recent meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago reportedly helped clear the way for the announcement, despite ongoing Israeli reservations.

The board’s first meeting could take place later this month on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, where US officials hope to begin initial fundraising for Gaza’s reconstruction.

One of the most uncertain elements of the plan remains the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF), which is meant to oversee the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. According to US and Arab officials, no country has yet committed to sending troops.

Washington has floated Indonesia and Azerbaijan as potential contributors, but Azerbaijan’s president ruled out participation this week. Other states have reportedly expressed reluctance amid fears of becoming entangled in renewed fighting.

US officials have sought to downplay the lack of commitments, insisting that the ISF’s mandate would be limited and would not involve combat operations against Hamas. A follow-up conference in Washington to clarify the force’s role has been discussed but not finalised.

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